Will Anderson, Houston Texans agree to NFL record-setting contract extension

The Houston Texans and star defensive end Will Anderson have officially reset the market and made NFL history.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Anderson and the Texans have agreed to a three-year, $150 million contract extension that includes $134 million in guaranteed money.

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The deal not only makes Anderson the highest-paid edge rusher in the league based on yearly average, he is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history.

“The Texans and All-Pro edge Will Anderson Jr. have agreed on a blockbuster, 3-year, $150M extension with $134M guaranteed to make him the NFL’s highest paid non-QB ever,” Rapoport reported.

In addition to the heaping sum of money, Anderson’s contract has a no-trade clause in it, which means Houston cannot move him unless he approves.

No-trade clauses are rare in the NFL, so that only makes Anderson’s contract that much more special.

How Anderson’s contract makes NFL history

Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) reacts after a sack in the second quarter against the New England Patriots in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium. Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

The record-setting part of Anderson’s contract pertains to his yearly average, which comes in at a ridiculous $50 million per year.

The previous record was set by Green Bay Packers superstar linebacker Micah Parsons, who still holds the highest total value at $186 million.

The yearly average of Anderson’s contract clears Parsons’ by a pretty wide margin, and it’s $3.5 million to be exact.

Because of his fifth-year option, which falls in 2027, Anderson’s new contract won’t be kicking in until 2028, so he’s locked in with Houston through 2030.

A well-deserved raise

Dec 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive coordingaor Matt Burke talks with defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Taken with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Anderson has become a star over his three years in the NFL.

Anderson has posted 23 sacks over his past two seasons, following up a rookie campaign in 2023 that saw him win AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Along with his two Pro Bowl nods and one first-team All-Pro selection, Anderson finished second in the AP Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2025.

A lot of money invested at edge rusher

With Anderson’s $50 million per year deal, the Texans have now inked a pair of edge rushers to deals worth $40 million per year or more.

The other is veteran edge rusher Danielle Hunter, who is getting paid $40.1 million per.

While that seems like an absurd amount of money, that’s just the way the market is going at the edge rusher position.

Teams are quite aware of how important the position is and it is only brings up the price.

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